Cincinnati, OH, March 20, 2026 – O’Rourke Wrecking Company (O’ROURKE) today announced that its work on the Cincinnati Convention Center redevelopment, now known as First Financial Center, has been honored with a national Excellence in Construction® (EIC) Eagle Award from Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The award was presented at the ABC Convention 2026 in Salt Lake City on March 19.
O’ROURKE was selected by 3CDC and the Messer/TriVersity/Jostin team to perform the strategic abatement, demolition, and architectural salvage of the convention center, located in the heart of Cincinnati’s Central Business District. The project involved the highly coordinated demolition of approximately 750,000 square feet of complex, interconnected structures, including elevated skywalk systems and the careful preservation of the historic Albee Arch.
Executed within an active urban environment surrounded by occupied buildings and critical infrastructure, the project required meticulous planning, advanced safety protocols, and precise sequencing to meet an accelerated schedule. O’ROURKE successfully delivered the work safely, efficiently, and on budget demonstrating its expertise in complex urban demolition and commitment to preserving community assets while enabling future development.
“This project represents more than demolition – it’s about transformation,” said Michele O’Rourke, CEO of O’Rourke Wrecking Company. “We had the opportunity to safely and strategically clear the way for one of Cincinnati’s most important civic reinvestments, while preserving pieces of its history like the Albee Arch. I’m incredibly proud of our team’s ability to execute fast-paced, complex work in a dense urban environment with precision, discipline, and care for the surrounding community. This recognition from ABC is a testament to the grit, expertise, and commitment to excellence that defines O’ROURKE every day.”
The EIC Awards celebrate 86 of the nation’s top construction projects from 2025, recognizing excellence across a wide range of sectors, including infrastructure, commercial, healthcare, and institutional construction. Winners are evaluated on complexity, innovation, safety, and overall project execution.
“Communities thrive when infrastructure is built and rebuilt with excellence, just like this project completed by the team at O’Rourke Wrecking Company,” said 2026 Chair of the ABC National Board of Directors Thomas “Murph” Murphy, vice president of Power & Construction Group. “ABC’s EIC Awards recognize the highest level of achievement in construction. This project exemplifies the leadership, safety, innovation, and merit that define our industry. Congratulations to O’Rourke Wrecking Company for showcasing the pinnacle of construction excellence.”
A panel of industry experts served as the competition’s judges. This year’s judges included representatives from the Design-Build Institute of America, Engineering News-Record, the Construction Owners Association of America, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the National Institute of Building Sciences, ShareBuilt, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and other select construction-related organizations nationwide.
A full list of EIC winners is available on ABC’s website.
The Excellence in Construction Awards are sponsored by ABC’s Insurance Trust, which provides construction-specific employer services for ABC members.
About Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC)
Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members offer a robust employee value proposition, develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. Visit us at abc.org.
About O’ROURKE WRECKING COMPANY
O’ROURKE WRECKING COMPANY is a nationally recognized leader in demolition, environmental remediation, and complex asset recovery, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ranked among the top demolition contractors in the United States, O’ROURKE specializes in executing highly complex projects in urban, industrial, and mission-critical environments with a relentless focus on safety, precision, and performance.
With integrated in-house capabilities, O’ROURKE delivers turnkey solutions that clear the way for redevelopment and revitalization. Guided by its mission of Clearing the Way to Build Better Lives & Communities, the company is committed to strengthening the communities it serves through responsible practices, workforce development, and lasting impact. For more information, visit www.orourkewrecking.com
